Dracaena plant named ‘KRISTI’

ABSTRACT

The new variety ‘KRISTI’ is a new and distinct cultivar of  Dracaena deremensis  plant. It can reach 1.5 m in length, with an average of approximately 18-20 leaves per plant. The arrangement of the leaves is in the form of a rosette. Shows colors and variegated bands very different from its parent variety ( Dracaena deremensis  plant ‘Lemon Lime’, unpatented).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Dracaena deremensis.

Variety denomination: KRISTI.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant, botanically known as Dracaena deremensis, of the family of Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KRISTI’.

Dracaena is a monocotyledonous and tropical foliage plant which can produce as a single or multi-stemmed plat, use as a house plant or outdoors in shade in zones 9 or 10 only.

The new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ originated as a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of the Dracaena deremensis var. ‘Lemon Lime’. The new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, William Vásquez Ulate in 2013, as a single sprouting within a controlled environment, in Candelaria, Palmares, Alajuela province, Costa Rica.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed in 2013 in Candelaria, Palmares, Alajuela province, and demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘KRISTI’, which in combination distinguish this Dracaena as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Strong yellowish green colored foliage, and green colored         stripes in the center of the leaf.     -   2. Wide and lanceolate leaves, 45-50 cm long and supported in a         rosette.     -   3. 60 cm-200 cm plant height.     -   4. Erect Plant habit

Plants of the new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar, Dracaena deremensis ‘Lemon Lime’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison between ‘KRISTI’ and ‘Lemon Lime’ Parent Dracaena New Cultivar deremensis ‘Lemon Characteristic ‘KRISTI’ Lime’ (unpatented) Plant Vigor Similar vigorous similar vigorous Color Strong yellowish colored tri-colored foliage, bright lime foliage, with central green with thin central stripes stripes dark green. of cream and dark green. Shape lanceolate leaves on a lanceolate and leaves on a rosette rosette Texture of Smooth and waxy Smooth and waxy leaves

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dracaena deremensis ‘KRISTI’ is the parental cultivar ‘Lemon Lime’. As an additional commercial comparison, plants of the new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ differ from plants of the comparable variety, Dracaena deremensis ‘Eve’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,073) in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Commercial Comparison between ‘KRISTI’ and ‘Eve’ Comparable Variety Dracaena deremensis New Cultivar ‘Eve’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘KRISTI’ Pat. No. 27,073) Color Strong yellowish colored Strong yellowish and brilliant foliage, with central yellowish green foliage stripes dark green. with brilliant yellowish green colored margins Shape lanceolate leaves on a lanceolate with curved rosette downwards tips Texture of Smooth and waxy Smooth and waxy leaves

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dracaena deremensis cultivar ‘KRISTI’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘KRISTI’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an eight-month old plant of Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ in a 21 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an eight-month old plant of Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ in a 21 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ from an eight-month old plant (upper side—A, under side—B).

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of the inflorescence of Dracaena ‘KRISTI’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may show phenotypical changes with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dracaena cultivar ‘KRISTI’ as grown in open-field conditions at Candelaria, Palmares, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Average temperature at Candelaria is 27° C. during the day and 15° C. at night. Plants grow under natural light conditions.

Plants of the new Dracaena cultivar ‘KRISTI’ are grown under light conditions of about 80% shade from natural sunlight and about 80% relative humidity. No supplementary artificial light is necessary. Plants of the new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’ are given 1) a liquid 24-8-16 fertilizer every 15^(th) days, and 2) a granular Nutricote 18-6-12 fertilizer every 6 weeks in raining season. No growth retardants are used when growing plants of the new Dracaena ‘KRISTI’.

Color references were made according to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The photographs and descriptions were made during the dry season in

Candelaria, Palmares, Alajuela province, Costa Rica when outdoor day average temperature was 26° C. The age of the plants described is 8 months old.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dracaena deremensis.         -   Variety denomination.—KRISTI. -   Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of Dracaena deremensis     ‘Lemon Lime’ (unpatented). -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—High adaptability to outdoor or indoor             conditions.         -   Temperature.—Day: 18° C. to 28° C. Night: 14° C. to 22° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to temperatures between             12° C. and 35° C.         -   Fertilization.—A liquid 24-8-16 fertilizer every 15^(th)             days, and a granular Nutricote 18-6-12 fertilizer every 6             weeks.         -   Growth regulators.—Not necessary. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative, by air layer or rooted cuttings.         -   Rooting habit description.—Easy to root. Roots are mostly             fibrous and finely branched.         -   Time to initiate roots.—15 to 22 days at 20-25° C.         -   Faster time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 30 to 45 days             at 20-25° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—         -   Height.—About 3 m when grown on the ground; About 1 m when             grown in a 21 cm size container.         -   Spread.—About 1,5 m when grown on the ground; About 50 cm             when grown in 21 cm size container.         -   Form.—Monocot; leaves whorled, leaf bases wrap around the             stem.         -   Shape.—Column.         -   Growth rate and habit.—About 75 cm per week; upright.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Stem-length.—About 3 m when grown in ground; About 1.5 m             when grown in 21 cm size container. Diameter: About             50-60 cm. Shape: round. Texture: rough. Color: RHS 141C.             Strength: strong and durable. Internode length: About 20 mm             to 40 mm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 18-20 leaves at 45 cm.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaves             whorled; leaf bases wrap around the stem.         -   Leaf length.—About 40-45 cm.         -   Leaf width.—About 6-8 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolated.         -   Apex shape.—Acute, triangular, and curved downwards.         -   Base shape.—Plane.         -   Margin.—Sharp, smooth.         -   Texture.—Upper Surface: smooth and waxy texture. Under             Surface: smooth and waxy texture.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS149A, and RHS141B             central stripes. Lower Surface: RHS149A, and RHS141B central             stripes.         -   Color of immature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS149A, and RHS141B             central stripes. Lower Surface: RHS149A, and RHS141B central             stripes.         -   Venation.—Pattern: longitudinal/parallel to the midrib             Color. Color: None. Leaf fragrance: None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Inflorescence.         -   Orientation at opening.—Out of the spike.         -   Quantity.—Per Plant with at least one open flower: 8             inflorescence per plant. About 100 flowers opened 2 weeks             after appearance of the spike.         -   Inflorescence size.—Length: About 45 cm. Diameter: About 4             cm.         -   Flower size.—Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 15 mm.             Depth: About 1 cm.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—         -   Rate of opening.—About one week, according to weather.         -   Shape.—Long.         -   Length.—About 2 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.         -   Color.—Apex: Red RHS N34A. Base: Yellowish white RHS 150D.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—4.         -   Arrangement.—Radial.         -   Color.—RHS N34A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 1 per flower. Length: About             1.5 cm. Color: RHS 155D. Anther: Length: About 2 mm. Width:             About 0.5 mm. Color: RHS 155D. Filament: Length: About             1.5 cm. Color: RHS 155D. Pollen: Amount: moderate. Color:             RHS 155D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Number: One per flower. Length: About             1 mm. Stigma: Length: About 0.6 mm. Width: About 1.0 mm.             Color: RHS 155D. Style: Length: About 2 cm. Color: RHS 155D.             Ovary: Length: About 3 mm. Width: About 2.0 mm. Color: RHS             155D. Fruit: none. -   Weather resistance: Drought tolerant. -   Disease/pest resistance: None observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: None observed. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dracaena deremensis plant named ‘KRISTI’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 